Let me first of all add my voice to those who spoke before me in congratulating you,
Mr. Chairman, on your appointment as Chairman of this august assembly. I have no doubt in my
mind that you will successfully steer the course of this very important Conference to a fruitful conclusion.

Secondly, let me also express my appreciation and satisfaction for the outstanding performance
of WTO under the very able stewardship of Mr. Renato Ruggiero. The statement we heard from the
Director-General highlighted so many solid accomplishments which could only have been achieved
through hard work and a clear sense of direction. I also acknowledge the fact that a lot remains to
be done towards the full realization of the objectives for which WTO was established.

Thirdly, the Gambia would like to express its appreciation and gratitude to all those countries,
such as Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore,
and the European Union, through whose financial assistance the Gambia and other LDCs were able
to participate in this Conference. Singapore deserves special mention for its generous hospitality and
the excellent facilities put at the disposal of the Conference.

The Gambia, with a population of just over a million people, located on the west coast of
Sub-Saharan Africa, is among the smallest, poorest and least developed nations of the world. For
countries in that category, the process of socio-economic development poses very many challenges.
The odds are just too many and all too familiar to mention them here. For us in the Gambia, we are
facing up to the challenges with optimism and determination.

We are reviewing and formulation policies that would enhance the development of our key
economic sectors; we are striving to develop our human resources; we are investing more on the
development of basic infrastructure; we are promoting the private sector to take the lead in economic
activity; we are improving the environment for development investments through the provision of
attractive incentive packages for investors; the Gambia is trying to build a sustainable democratic system
of government based on transparency, accountability, probity, the rule of law and respect for human
rights; etc.

All these measures are very well elaborated on our Vision 2020 Document.

I am sure many of the LDCs are involved in similar efforts. However, these efforts must be
supported by the developed nations if the aspirations of the developing countries are to be achieved. The marginalization, deprivation and poverty in the LDCs should be a global concern. A blazing fire
in the LDCs is capable of sending choking smoke to the developed industrialized nations of the world.
The economic prosperity of the LDCs, on the other hand, enlarges the global market and enhances
global peace and prosperity. In all the issues this Conference will address, let there be special
consideration for the poor nations of the world particularly sub-Saharan Africa which is at the bottom
of the economic ladder.

I would like to mention trade and investment with particular emphasis on Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI) in the LDCs. Sub-Saharan Africa, like in many other LDCs, has abundant untapped
natural resources which could be exploited through inflows of investment resources and technology
from the developed world. The industrialized countries should relocate some of their industries
(especially the light industries) in the LDCs in order to facilitate technology transfer to the LDCs and
take advantage of the great potentials for growth in these regions.

Secondly, the Gambia would like to add its voice to those calling for unrestricted participation
of all nations in world trade and membership of the WTO irrespective of the political circumstances
and the sovereign choices of the peoples of these nations. In this regard, countries such as the
Republic of China and other nations yearning to be full Members of the WTO should be allowed to
fulfil their aspirations.

Finally, my delegation would like to bring to the attention of this Conference the following
issues of great relevance to the Gambia and, I hope, other LDCs:

- The expeditious implementation of all special and differential measures taken in favour
of LDCs;

- application, in a flexible and supportive manner for the LDCs, of the various
Agreements and instruments and the transitional provisions in the Uruguay Round;
and

- substantially increased technical assistance for LDCs, in the development, strengthening
and diversification of their production and export including services, as well as in trade
promotion, to enable them to maximize the benefits from liberalized access to markets.